Morris Bailey
Morris Bailey, Jr.
Known Professionally as "Mo' Bailey"
Listed in the Encyclopedia of Jazz
Musician (Tenor Sax) + SongWriter + Producer + Composer + Arranger
Morris "Mo" Bailey is recognized as a remarkable multi-talented instrumentalist, prolific composer, songwriter and arranger, the brother of drummer Donald "Duck" Bailey, Father of bassist Victor Bailey. He has performed with several jazz greats such as Jimmy Smith, Bobby Timmons, Mccoy Tyner, Ted Curson, Lee Morgan, Albert "Tootie Heath", Spanky Debrest, Reggie Workman, Art Farmer, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Philly Jo Jones, Hassan Ibn Ali, Odean Pope, and other musicians and bands in and around his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. "I've been fortunate to have been associated with the best musicians of all kind, and given the ability to be able to play with any and all of them. I think the feeling is mutual.
Morris's jazz career was short lived due to health issues. He stayed in the music business as an arranger, song writer and producer. He found success in the Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll and Pop fields.
Songwriter Credits:
"You'll Go to Hell"............................Nina Simmone, Ernie Andrews "Love Me Just A Little"...........Patti Labelle
Billy Paul , Robin McKelle "The Jokes On You"...............Patti Labelle
Dolly Parton, Marc Almond "Tear After Tear"...................Patti Labelle
"Prayer Dance"................................Rachelle Ferrell "Ebony Woman"...................Billy Paul
"He'll Never Love You Like I Do".... The Spinners
(Other Recordings include Donnie Elbert, Wilson Pickett, Gabor Gzabo, The Bluenotes, Direct Current, Blue Magic, and others.)
Arranger credits (Recording Artist):
Patti Labelle, Evelyn Champagne King, Donie Elbert, Charles Earland Jr., Chi Chi & Pepe, Carol Douglas, Wardell Piper, Chocolate Syrup, The Three Degrees, Curtis Mayfield, Jackie Wilson, Ray Charles, and many others.
Arranger Credits (Concerts, Theatres, Night Clubs):
Uptown, Apollo, Howard, Regal Theatres Academy of Music, Mann Music Center and other concert halls and clubs for such artists as Patti Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, Evelyn King, Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler, Jackie Wilson, Dionne Warwick, The Three Degrees, and many others. Arranged and composed theme song for the Miss Black America pageant. Created the internationally famous dance... THE BUMP
Amplifications:
A&R Director, Music Education (Harmony, Theory), Improvisation, Lyric and Melody writing
In 1988, after a thirty year layoff, Morris resumed playing the saxphone. By this time he ameuered to "Mo" Bailey, a anme given to him by Jimmy Smith and younger musicians. He formed a group called the Superjazz Quartet that featured the legendary jazz messenger Sam Dockery. A great saxophonist Bootsie Barnes heard Mo' play and immediatley hired him for a weeky gig with the drummer Lex Humphreys. He freelanced for almost twelve years. He says "I was just having fun:" I went to see Shirley Scott she said , "don't you dare come in here without your horn". Mo' talked about how much fun it was with her, Mickey Rourke and Arthur Harper all playing jazz again. Mo is still active teaching the sax, music and vocal coaching. His songs are still in demand and being sampled by new and old school artists. His logic is "Ive done my thing, it's all music".
